Columbia Gas Blue Jackets European Prospect Report

A quick look at how the CBJ prospects playing in Europe have performed.

Alexander Guskov (Omsk Avangard) - A 6-2, 202 lbs. defenseman, Guskov is playing in Russia with fellow CBJ prospect, Alexandr Svitov. Guskov, who was selected with Columbus’ eighth pick, 200th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, has posted 3-2-5 with 48 penalty minutes in 32 games. His three goals are tied for third on the team amongst defensemen.

Hannes Hyvonen (Jokerit Helsinki) - Claimed off of waivers from San Jose on Oct. 5, 2002, Hyvonen is currently playing in Finland where he has posted 10-6-16 with 26 PIM in 15 games, including 4-1-5 over the last two games.. His 10 goals lead the team. The right winger was originally drafted by the Sharks with their seventh pick, the 257th overall, in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He appeared in 36 games with Columbus during the 2002-03 season, scoring 4-5-9.

Dmitry Kosmachev (Mytishi Khimik) - Columbus’ third pick, 71st overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, has appeared in 28 games with Mytishi Khimik in Russia. The 6-3, 209 lbs., defenseman has posted 2-2-4 with eight penalty minutes.

Jaroslav Kracik (Plzen HC) - Was selected with the 231st pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft and has been playing for Plzen HC in the Czech league, posting 5-18-23 with 16 PIM in 31 games, notching assists in his last three games. His 18 assists lead the team and his 23 points rank him second.

Sergei Mozyakin (CSKA Moscow) -The left winger has scored 11 goals with 24 assists in 35 games for CSKA Moscow during the 2005-06 season. At 5-10 and 165 lbs.Mozyakin was selected by Columbus with its 13th pick, 263rd overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. His 35 points ranks him second in the Russian Elite League, while his 24 assists lead the league. In addition, Mozyakin is fifth in the Russian Elite League in +/-, with a +16 ranking.

Andrej Nedorost (Karlovy Vary HC) - Has seen action in 28 games over parts of three seasons with the Blue Jackets, has been playing in the Czech league, scoring 4-8-12 in 26 games with Karlovy Vary HC. The 6-1, 198 lbs., center was selected by Columbus with the 286th pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, and has scored 2-3-5 for his NHL career.

Evgeny Petrochinin (Chekhov Vityaz) – The defenseman has skated in just six games with Chekhov Vityaz in Russia, scoring 0-1-1. Obtained from Dallas on Sept. 8, 2001 in exchange for LW Kirk Muller, Petrochinin has posted 53-83-136 in 435 games for his Russian Elite League career.

Lennart Petrell (HIFK Helsinki) - Has appeared in 29 games for HIFK Helsinki in Finland, scoring 5-5-10, with 47 PIM. The 6-foot-3, 198-pound Petrell joined the Blue Jackets organization as the club’s sixth pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Arsi Piispanen (JyP HT Jyvaskyla) - A defenseman playing for JyP HT Jyvaskyla in Finland, has scored 5-5-10 in 32 games for the club. The 6-3, 163 lbs. Piispanen was selected by the Jackets with the club’s sixth pick, 138th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. His 10 points leads all team defensemen in scoring.

Andrei Plehanov (Nizhnekamsk Neftekhimik) - Tabbed as the Blue Jackets’ third pick, the 96th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Plehanov has appeared in 32 games with Nizhnekamsk Neftekhimik in Russia, scoring 0-1-1 with 18 PIM.

Martin Spanhel (Sparta Praha) - Signed by Columbus on June 7, 2000, has been playing for Sparta Praha of the Czech League this season, seeing action in 34 games, posting 1-4-5 with 24 PIM. The 6-2, 206 lbs., left wing has seen action in 10 games with Columbus, scoring 2-0-2 with a -3 +/- rating over parts of two seasons.

Dmitry Subbotin (Ufa Salavat Yulayev/ Tver MVD HC) - Originally selected by the Blue Jackets during the 2000 Expansion Draft on June 23, 2000, has split the year between two clubs, Ufa Salavat Yulayev and Tver MVD HC in Russia, combining to tally 2-4-6 with 36 PIM in 17 games.

Alexandr Svitov (Omsk Avangard) - Saw action in 40 games for Columbus during the 2003-04 campaign, scoring 2-9-11, has been playing this season for Omsk Avangard in Russia, scoring 3-6-9 in 23 games. Svitov was acquired from Tampa Bay along with a third-round pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for Daryl Sydor and a fourth-round pick on Jan. 27, 2004. Svitov, a 6-2, 228-pound center, was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning with the third overall pick of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Ivan Tkachenko (Yaroslavl Lokomotiv) - Selected by CBJ with their fifth pick, 98th overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, has seen action in 27 contests for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv in Russia, scoring 10-17-27. His 27 points is fifth in the Russian Elite League, while his 17 assists ranks 10th.

Stats were unavailable for Sergei Luchinkin, Per Mars, Martin Streit and Artem Vostikov.